Golden Age

From the winner of the Pulitzer Prize: the much-anticipated final volume, following Some Luck and Early Warning, of her acclaimed American trilogy -- a richly absorbing new novel that brings the remarkable Langdon family into our present times and beyond

A lot can happen in one hundred years, as Jane Smiley shows to dazzling effect in her Last Hundred Years trilogy. But as Golden Age, its final installment, opens in 1987, the next generation of Langdons face economic, social, political--and personal--challenges unlike anything their ancestors have encountered before.

Michael and Richie, the rivalrous twin sons of World War II hero Frank, work in the high-stakes world of government and finance in Washington and New York, but they soon realize that one's fiercest enemies can be closest to home; Charlie, the charming, recently found scion, struggles with whether he wishes to make a mark on the world; and Guthrie, once poised to take over the Langdons' Iowa farm, is instead deployed to Iraq, leaving the land--ever the heart of this compelling saga--in the capable hands of his younger sister.

Determined to evade disaster, for the planet and her family, Felicity worries that the farm's once-bountiful soil may be permanently imperiled, by more than the extremes of climate change. And as they enter deeper into the twenty-first century, all the Langdon women--wives, mothers, daughters--find themselves charged with carrying their storied past into an uncertain future.

Combining intimate drama, emotional suspense, and a full command of history, Golden Age brings to a magnificent conclusion the century-spanning portrait of this unforgettable family--and the dynamic times in which they've loved, lived, and died: a crowning literary achievement from a beloved master of American storytelling.

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From the Pulitzer Prize-winner: the much-anticipated final volume, following "Some Luck" and "Early Warning, " of her best-selling American trilogy, which brings the beloved Langdon family into our present times and beyond.

This novel fills out Smiley's picture of the last 100 years in America with masterful strokes. Her additions add layers of meaning to what has already happened in both the US history and the family characters she has created. The trilogy is stunning in its ability to show changes in public and political life through the individual experiences of complex characters. Her ability to combine character development, plot and social commentary is unmatched by any author I've yet read.

I really loved the first book in the trilogy - gave it five stars, which I very seldom do - sort of enjoyed the second book in the trilogy, but felt the characters, because there were so many and limited space for each, were more sketches than characters and now. Now I'm on the third in the trilogy and I think the form has let it down. There are so many characters! It's just not nearly as interesting to read bits and pieces of so many people's lives, than it is to go a little deeper into fewer people and make them actually feel real and rounded. I've given up on this one, actually. There are so many books I want to read and there is never enough time, so back to the library it goes!

Loved the first two books but number three is certainly not as good. The story is all over the place and the ending is very depressing. Interesting take on Vancouver and Canada! She is still one of my favourite authors!!

The last book in Smiley's Last 100 Years trilogy finds us in the third generation of the Langdon family. The question is, was this a 'Golden Age?' Frank’s twins and Jesse’s children take center stage in this book, which takes us into the current year and beyond. Richie as a Congressman is rich with satire; her predictions regarding climate seemed realistic, but hopefully too soon! And, was it a 'Golden Age?’ That’s what readers will ponder after they turn the last page and say goodbye to characters of whom they’ve grown quite fond.

Meanwhile, back at the farm...the family comes home to roost. This last of the Last Hundred Years Trilogy is the most unashamedly political. At once current and distant, memory gives the present a wonderful hue, and also a refresher to read the volume without the other two, if you like.The farm, after all, is not bet, or felled by climate change, but goes a very 21st century fate, family edition. The progeny of the elder Langdon son dominates. Never disappoints.